Advisory for Broadcasters - Vatican Announces Worldwide Telecasts Information for Christmas and World Day of Peace Ceremonies

WASHINGTON (November 11, 2010) — The Pontifical Council for Social Communications has released information for broadcasters regarding worldwide telecasts of the ceremonies presided over by Pope Benedict XVI on Christmas and New Year's Day. All times are UTC/GMT (Coordinated Universal Time/Greenwich Mean Time).

• Friday, December 24, 2010, Christmas Eve, 21:00 to 23:00 hours, Midnight Mass, presided over by Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Basilica.
• Saturday, December 25, 2010, Christmas Day, 11:00 to 11:45 hours, Christmas Message and Blessing "Urbi et Orbi" ("To the City of Rome and to the World") of Pope Benedict XVI from St. Peter's Square.
• Saturday, January 1, 2010, Solemnity of Mary Mother of God, 09:00 - 10:45 Mass, presided over by Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Basilica on the occasion of the 44th World Day of Peace.

The broadcasts will be offered free of charge to all broadcasters via Eurovision through its World Feed Service. A satellite domestic feed for the US and Canada (Galaxy 17 @ 91° W) is planned for the Christmas Midnight Mass and Christmas Day Blessing “Urbi et Orbi.”

Television commentaries from the Vatican in English, Spanish and Frenchwill be offered on the satellite audio channels. Commentary in other languages, yet to be determined, will be available via ISDN from Vatican Radio. Distribution by ISDN is limited and may be requested from the International Relations Office of Vatican Radio (@email) which will provide them on a first come, first served basis.

Further details will be posted when available on www.pccs.it/tj/telecasts.htm. Broadcasters unable to receive satellite audio signals can use telephone circuits with the Vatican by contacting Joseph Soureal (Telecom Italia Sparkle) at @email.

Details concerning the various satellites and frequencies will be posted on the Pontifical Council for Social Communications’ website (www.pccs.it/tj/telecasts.htm), in addition to texts and background information for television producers and commentators.

For those unable to receive the broadcasts through the above service providers, alternative satellite reception possibilities can be explored (send email to: @email).

Contact information:

Eurovision World Feed Desk (Sara Alonso)
Tel: +41 22 717 2822; fax: +41 22 747 4822
Email: @email
Web: www.eurovision.net/wf/worldfeeds.php

Television commentary positions available in Vatican City:
RAI Eurovision (Lucia Colafrancesco)
Tel: +39 06 3317-1151 / 52; fax: +39 06 3317-0053
Email: @email

Television commentary in other languages from Vatican Radio:
International Relations Office, Vatican Radio
Tel: +39 06 698 83945
Email: @email

All other inquiries:
Pontifical Council for Social Communications (Thaddeus Jones)
Tel: +39 06 698 91810; fax: +39 06 698 91840
Email: @email ; Web: www.pccs.it/tj/telecasts.htm
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Keywords: Christmas Eve, Christmas Mass, Urbi et Orbi, World Day of Peace.